Theoretically Refining the Multiple Streams Framework

Although John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) has been among the most cited theoretical lenses of policy scholars for a long time, the literature has not added too much to a theoretical refinement of the framework. In our work we therefore seek to refine the approach theoretically and improve its empirical applicability. Among our major refinements are the adoption of the MSF to policy-making in various political systems (including parliamentary systems and the political system of the EU) as well as to the decision-making stage of policy-making (rather than just agenda setting). Moreover, we have suggested a way how institutions can be introduced in the MSF.

Nicole Herweg, Christian Huß and Reimut Zohlnhöfer, 2015: Straightening the Three Streams: Theorizing Extensions of the Multiple Streams Framework, in: European Journal of Political Research 54 (3): 435-449.